Aeroplane



Dec.'7, 1937. R. R. SLAYBACK 2,101,35l

AEROPLANE Filed Aug. 6, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 :www Rf?. Slaga/O Dec. 7, 1937. R. R. sLAYBAcK AEROPLANE ls sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1936 Z 7/3 Zulu Dec. 7, 1937. R, R. sLAYBAcK AEROPLANE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. e, 1936 nai RR gia? dal? Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 6,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an aeroplane and it aims to provide a novel means forming part of the aeroplane, which will automatically convert the same into a form to. function like a parachute, in the event the motors stop or operate at lower than a predetermined speed, to the end that the aeroplane may descend to the ground with safety, similar to a persons descending with the aid of an individual parachute.

It is further aimed to provide such a structure which will operate automatically upon the motors ceasing operation or operating below a predetermined speed, consisting of wings normally in folded relation with the main plane and adapted to be moved automatically to an upright position,

in the event of engine failure as described.

l It is also aimed to provide a novel construction wherein more square feet of wing vacuum may be obtained in a smaller space, and a construction wherein such wing vacuum may be increased by ying with the stern of the aeroplane at a lower degree, say six inch lower degree, on the parallel.

The more specic objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings;-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved aeroplane;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane of line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure l is an enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the main wing having one of the descending blades in operative position;

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure l, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary inverted plan View of one corner portion of the main frame.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the clutch device.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the clutch device with parts broken away.

Referring specifically to the drawings, I0 designates a suitable fuselage generally of conven- 0 tional form, being equipped with a suitable landing gear as at Il and having suitable stern control fins l2 mounted on a suitable support I3 rigid with the fuselage and which ns may be operated in any suitable manner vby conventional 55 means from the interior or cabin of the fuselage.

1936, Serial No. 94,713

Uprights or struts I4 rise from the fuselage It, being effectively attached thereto, and they support Va relatively large, preferably square, main plane I5 being of any desired specific construction having a flexible outer skin or covering I5 and a suitable skeleton trussed interior framework as at I'I. I

From opposite sides of the main plane I5 adjacent the front thereof are banking wingsV I8 adapted to be turned inV opposite directions at the same time, such wings being manually controlled as by means of a flexible endlessactuator mechanism I9 trained over a pulley V2l) rigid on a` horizontal operating vshaft suitably journaled in parts of the lframework I'l and connected through the medium of gears at 22', with auxiliary shafts 23, suitably journaled in parts of the famework Il, and with which the wings I8 are rigid.

Capable of folding against the undersurface of the side portions of the wings I8, are descending blades 24 and foldable against them and the undersurfaces of the front and rear edge portions of the main plane I5, are similar descending blades 25. Contractile springs k3l urge the blades 2:1 and 25 to vertical position.

Said blades 2,4 and 2 5 are pivotally connected at 25 by means of hinges, pintles or the like to the undersurface of the main wing. Such blades 24 and 25 are adapted to be lowered to the vertical, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, for descending purposes and their movement to that position is limited by means of brackets 2l depending from the main frame in rigid relation therewith. Hooks or other means may be used to secure said blades 24 and 25 fiat against the wings, as when operation .thereof is not desired.

The v,motive power for the aeroplane consists of two motors or prime movers 28 mountedin suitable hangers or other supporting means 29, suspended from the frame of the main plane I5. It will be noted that the machine is balanced, since the fuselage is centrally located with respect to the main plane and that the motors are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides thereof. Said motors operate conventional propellers at 30.

The descending blades 24 and 25are controlled and operated by .means of cables 3l, connected at parts thereof to all of the blades 24, the cables being trained over suitable guide pulleys as at 32, mounted on the framework Il and on the brackets 21, the skin or wall of the main wing I5 being slotted or provided with holes so that the cables may pass therethrough.

-` will move the governor plate 43 to the left and Said cables are secured to an endless cable 3| that is trained over suitable drum means 33, provided on shafts 38 aligned with the shafts 39 of the motors 28 and When the motors are in operation, say above five hundred revolutions per minute or any other predetermined speed, depending on a specific clutch 33', the blades 25 will be retracted at against the undersurface of the main Wing as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 7.

However, should the motion of the motor shafts 39 cease yor fail for any reason or recede below ve hundred revolutions per minute or other predetermined speed, the clutch will be thrown out automatically, thereby releasing the cables 3| so that the blades 24 and 25 under contraction of springs 31 will move to the vertical position of Figure 2 and Figure 4, permitting the aeroplane to descend like a parachute with safety.

It will be understood that when the motors 28 again speed up, the clutches will operate the cables 3| to wind them, thereby retracting or folding the blades 24 and 25 again against the undersurface of the main plane or wing.

Referring to the specific clutch 33', it may consist of a drum or housing 40 clamped as at 4| to the shaft of the motors at 39. Said drum or housing 40 is open at one side thereof and has aplurality ofribs or splines 42 interiorly thereof adjacent which a governor plate 43 is slidably mounted, being peripherally notched as at 44, to intert with the ribs or splines 42. Governor balls or weights are provided at 45, having a rod 46 loosely passing therethrough. Pivoted to the balls or Weights 45 at 46, and to the governor plate 43 at 41 and to the clamp 4| at 48, are links 49. A contractile coil spring 50 is connected to two of the links, tending to urge the governor means to a predetermined retracted position. As the motor 28 speeds up, and proportionalto the speed, the weights '45 and links engage it With a clutch plate or disc 5| at a suitable friction surface 52 provided thereon. Such disc 5 is rigid with the shaft 38, on which the drum 33 is fastened. Preferably the shaft 38 includes a transmission at 53 to control its speed.

When the plate 43 is moved to the left as in Figure 8, it engages and drives the disc or plate 5| and accordingly the shaft 38 and the drum 33, through such movement, winding the cables 3|, so that the descending blades will be at against `each other and against the undersurface of the wing. Y

Attention is called to the fact however that the plate 43 will be thrown to the left a suflicient distance to engage the friction material 52 and drive the disc 5|, only at or above a predetermined speed of the engine shafts 39, for instance five hundred revolutions per minute as previously intimated. It is also to be noted, that the degree of friction between the plate 43 in its outermost position at highest speed and the friction material, is such that when the drums 33 are Wound sufficiently to move the descending blades 24 and 25 flat against each other and against the undersurface of the wing, the plate 43 will slip and continue to rotate, leaving the plate 5| stationary, and preventing its return movement under the action of the contractile springs 31, such springs 31 however being effective to permit lowering of the blades until the plate or disc 5| is disengaged by the plate 43, due toifailure of the engine to operate above the predetermined speed.

Attention is called to the fact that an opening is provided centrally of the main Wing or plane l5 which is normally closed in flight by doors 35. Such doors 35 in flight are normally closed, being hinged as at 36 to the main wing. Said doors are actuated into open and closed positions simultaneously with blades 24 and 25 by means of connecting cables Sla secured to endless cable 3|.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a main supporting plane therefor, normally retracted means on the main plane operable to convert the same into a parachute, means to propel the aeroplane, and means operable to control the position of the rst mentioned means through the operation of the second mentionedy means.

2. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a main supporting plane therefor, normally retracted means on the main plane operable to convert the same into a parachute, means to propel the aeroplane, and means operable to control the position of the first mentioned means through the operation of the second mentioned means, said second mentioned means being mounted on the main plane.

3. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a main supporting plane therefor, normally retracted means on the main plane operable to convert the same into aY parachute,`

means to propel the aeroplane, and means operable to control the position of the rst mentioned means through the operation of the second mentioned means, said second mentioned means being suspended from the main plane.

4.' Anaeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a main supporting plane therefor, normally retracted means on the main plane operable to convert the same into a parachute, means to propel the aeroplane, and means operable to, control the position of the first mentioned means through the operation of the second mentioned means, said second mentioned means being suspended from the main plane, and comprising two motors, said motors being disposed equidistantly on opposite sides of the fuselage.

5. Arik aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a supporting plane therefor, descending blades pivoted to said plane adjacent the edges thereof and being foldable against the undersurface of the plane, propelling means for the aeroplane, and cable means connected to the blades and operable by said propelling means.

6. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a supporting plane therefor, descending blades pivoted to said plane adjacent the edges thereof and being foldable against Vthe undersurface of the plane, propelling means for the aeroplane, and Ycable means connected to the blades and operable by said propelling means to normally maintain the blades folded, and to permit opening thereof upon engine failure.

7, An aeroplane ofthe class described having a fuselage, a supporting plane therefor, descending blades pivoted to said plane adjacent the edges thereof and being foldable against the undersurface of the plane, propelling means for the aeroplane,v and cable means connected to the blades and operable by said propelling means to normally maintain the blades folded, and to permit opening thereof upon engine failure, to operate at a predetermined speed.

8. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a supporting plane therefor, descending blades pivoted to said plane adjacent the edges thereof and being foldable against the undersurface of the plane, propelling means for the aeroplane, and cable means connected to the blades and operable by said propelling means to normally maintain the blades folded, and to permit opening thereof upon engine failure, to operate at a predetermined speed, said propelling means comprising motors suspended from the main plane and located on opposite sides of the fuselage, and clutches normally rotating with the motor and operable automatically toy disengage the same when the motors operate below a predetermined speed, said cables being controlled by said clutches.

9. An aeroplane of the class described having a fuselage, a supporting plane therefor, descending blades pivoted to said plane adjacent the edges thereof and being foldable against the undersurface of the plane', propelling means for the aeroplane, and cable means connected to the blades and operable by said propelling means to normally maintain the blades folded, and to permit opening thereof upon engine failure, to operate at a predetermined speed, said propelling means comprising motors suspended from the main plane and located on opposite sides of the fuselage, and clutches normally rotating With the motor and operable automatically to disengage the same when the motors operate beloW a predetermined speed, said cables being controlled by said clutches, said main plane having a centra] opening therein, and closure means for said opening adapted to open and close by cable control.

ROY R. SLAYBACK 

